Smoke Causes Health Warnings

Dense smoke from a wildfire has affected air quality and visibility on the road from Miami to West Palm, the Bradenton Herald reports.

Broward Health Department officials are cautioning people with respiratory problems to stay indoors until the smoke clears. Adverse effects of the smoke may include coughing, irritated sinuses, shortness of breath, chest pain, and headaches, according to the Health Department.

Drivers have also been warned to be cautious due to low visibility. Northbound U.S. 27 from Interstate 75 was shut down for 24 hours due to the flames.

The fire broke out when lightning struck part of a Broward county conservation area. However, Bob Ebaugh, a weather specialist for the National Weather Service in Miami-Dade, said that afternoon rains were expected to quell the fires, according to the Herald.